Journal of Student Research 2010

106

Journal of Student Research

adequate health benefits which would affect the students’ availability of health insurance. Lastly, the societal attitudes and values towards health insurance would have an impact on the students’ future.

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this study was threefold: (1) to examine the attitudes college students have regarding health insurance and how it impacts quality of life; (2) to develop a reliable survey instrument to measure the affects health insurance has on college students’ lives, and (3) to provide data to help support the importance of accessible, affordable, and adequate health insurance. The authors found a similar study by Molnar (2002) who found that almost half of the college students were inadequately or completely uninsured. The central research question in this study was “What are college student attitudes regarding the impact of health insurance on their lives?” The authors predicted that college students who were not insured would suffer higher stress levels and lower overall quality of life. It was hypothesized that college students would report high levels of stress, poor academic and work performance, and large financial burdens due to being uninsured or having inadequate health insurance. As for the college students who were adequately insured, they would have reported lower levels of financial difficulties and stress and higher levels of academic achievement. The authors’ hypothesis was informed by the literature which reported a relationship between inadequate health insurance and negative effects on college students. This hypothesis was also supported by the Family Ecology Theory which helps explain a relationship between an individual’s development and the context of their environment. College students who were insured inadequately or not at all could receive the proper medical care they needed. Therefore, based on Family Ecology Theory, students who had inadequate health